In the bowl of an electric mixer cream together butter and sugar, add
in the egg, vanilla, and peppermint and mix until well incorporated.

In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt,
and powdered sugar.

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture and mix
until well incorporated.

Remove the dough from the bowl and form it into a ball or log and then cut it in
2 equal halves.

Add red gel food coloring to one half and gently knead it to
mix the color in. Add more if needed to achieve your desired color.

Wrap each dough color in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4
hours.

To make the cookies

Preheat the oven to 350

In a small bowl mix together 2 Tbsp. of sugar and crushed
candy canes.

Scoop out a teaspoon of each color dough.

Roll the dough into 5 inch long ropes. Twist the ropes
together and shape into a candy cane shape and place onto a cookie sheet.

Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately sprinkle
with the candy cane and sugar mixture, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

*Between batches scrape the excess sugar/candy cane off the
cookie sheet so that it doesn’t melt.

Store cookies in an airtight container.